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Truly sad news out of the UK today: Alexander McQueen, the famous British fashion designer, was found dead at his home at the age of 40 today. The Daily Mail, which broke the story, reports, “The [fashion] industry was left reeling after the 40-year-old’s suicide this morning, which comes just days after the death of his beloved mother, Joyce. It is also just three years since his close friend, Isabella Blow – who plucked him from obscurity and helped him become a star – killed herself. McQueen, who was christened Lee but used his middle name for his label, was found at his luxury flat in Mayfair, central London. It is believed he hanged himself.”

Björk and McQueen had a long-standing collaborative relationship. He designed the cover for her classic album, Homogenic, and directed the video for her single, “Alarm Call”:

Perhaps McQueen’s most spectacular moment was the staging of his 2006 Paris fashion show, which featured a virtual Kate Moss as a ghost-like figure on the runway:

Moss, a close friend of McQueen, has released a statement about McQueen’s death: “Kate is shocked and devastated at the tragic loss of her dear friend Lee McQueen. Her thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”

McQueen was also an innovator in men’s fashion. Here’s the show for his 2010/2011 fall/winter men’s collection, which is distinctive in its use of prints: